Labrakita Dog (Akita Lab Mix): Pictures, Care, Temperament & Traits
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Dogs are interesting animals, no matter their breed. Each has their own unique personality, but their genetics do play a big role in things like their overall temperament and disposition for things like hunting, fighting, and caring for children. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to learn about a specific breed (or crossbreed) that you’re considering acquiring as a household pet. It’s also interesting to learn about different types of dogs. Here, we highlight the Labrakita, a strong, loyal, and protective dog.
| Height: | 21–28 inches |
| Weight: | 65–130 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10–13 years |
| Colors: | Black, gray, brown, cream, white, fawn, red, pied, brindle |
| Suitable for: | Families with older children, singles, houses with fenced yards |
| Temperament: | Loyal, protective, impatient, family-oriented, aloof around strangers |
The Labrakita is a crossbreed, the result of mating the Akita and the Labrador Retriever. This dog tends to take on the characteristics of both their parents, but which one they take after more and their unique personality are up in the air. It depends on how the Labrakita is raised and what genetic predispositions they have. In short, there are a few common factors in this crossbreed, but there can also be serious differences. Each dog is different!
Labrakita Characteristics
Labrakita Puppies
These little pups are super active, adventurous, and ready to work. After all, they are the products of dogs that were bred to do things like hunt. The Akita is a Japanese treasure, as they have a rich history there. They are praised as awesome companions, both for hunting and protecting the family and property.
It is important to socialize and train the Labrakita early in life. These types of training should start as soon as the puppies are brought to their forever home for the first time. These dogs are rambunctious and tend to be extremely adventurous as puppies.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Labrakita 🧠
The Labrakita is an outstanding crossbreed in that loyalty and protectiveness are characteristics that these pups tend to inherit from their parents. They are aloof with strangers at first, but with regular socialization, they can become friends with just about anyone—if it’s okay with their household companions. Playful and adventurous, the typical Labrakita loves spending time outdoors.
Some of these dogs are more outgoing and sociable, like their Labrador parent, while others are more aloof and protective, like their Akita parent. These can be loving family-oriented dogs, but they require training, discipline, and patience to be their best selves. These dogs do best with experienced dog owners who understand the complexities of obedience training.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
The Labrakita can be a good family dog if they are properly trained and socialized from a young age. These dogs are usually protective and are happy to help keep their property and family members safe from threats. The typical Labrakita is not that patient and does not put up with teasing well, so they should always be supervised while in the vicinity of young children. These dogs do best in families with older kids or with singles who don’t live with children at all. This isn’t to say that they can’t integrate into a family with kids, but it does mean that extra care, attention, and training must be implemented in the process.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
This designer crossbreed can get along with other dogs in the household with proper socialization and training. They should be introduced to other dogs while still puppies for the best results, as this will enable them to learn how to get along and be a productive part of the pack without trying to vie for a different position.
As for cats and other household pets, a Labrakita may or may not be able to live with them. These dogs have a high prey drive that can make it tough for them not to chase and “hunt” down small animals. Personality and temperament do play a role, so some may do great with cats, rabbits, and other pets, while others may not be able to be around them at all.
Things to Know When Owning a Labrakita
As a prospective Labrakita owner, you’ll need to learn how to care for them before bringing them home for the first time. What should they eat? How much exercise should they get? What kind of training is important? What about grooming and health concerns? We have the answers to all these questions here!
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
The Labrakita is an extremely active dog with a muscular agile body. This means they should get a diet high in animal protein and plenty of healthy carbohydrates. They also need omega fatty acids for optimal health. Look for a commercial food with real animal meat as the first ingredient. Things like sweet potatoes and spinach are also found in many high-quality foods that are suitable for this crossbreed.
These dogs can eat anywhere from 3 to 5 cups of dry commercial food a day, so most owners buy in bulk. It’s important to follow the feeding directions on the packaging of the food that you choose and/or get feeding recommendations from your veterinarian.
Exercise 🐕
Due to their high stamina and energy levels, Labrakitas should get at least 90 minutes of exercise each day for optimal health and happiness. This exercise can be split up into two or three sessions if necessary, depending on your schedule. Most of their exercise should come in the form of brisk walks. Long hikes together on your days off can go a long way in helping your Labrakita get rid of pent-up energy. Other types of exercise that these dogs tend to enjoy include swimming, playing fetch, and running agility courses.
Training 🎾
The average Labrakita is extremely smart and eager to please their human companions. That said, these dogs can be highly stubborn. This means your Labrakita will likely take well to training but will probably also give you a hard time during the process. It’s best to start obedience training as soon as you bring your puppy home for the first time.
Training should take place in a quiet place without distractions to minimize “stubbornness” and maximize effectiveness. Training is not a one-and-done thing; it should go on throughout your dog’s life to ensure proper behavior in any situation. If you don’t have experience training dogs, it’s a good idea to work with a professional trainer until you are confident in your skills.
Grooming ✂️
These dogs do shed like their parent breeds, so it’s a good idea to brush them at least twice a week to keep shedding to a minimum. They don’t need baths unless they get noticeably dirty or muddy, as these dogs take pride in keeping themselves clean. The exercise that they get daily should help keep their nails naturally trimmed, but you may need to do trimming about once every month with clippers or a specialized tool.
Health Conditions ❤️
While the Labrakita is generally healthy, there are certain conditions that they are predisposed to due to their genetics and active life. Here are the conditions that all prospective and new Labrakita owners should be aware of.
- Ectropion
- Entropion
- Congenital eye defects
- Hyperthyroidism
- Gastric torsion
- Epilepsy
- Bloat
- Hip/elbow dysplasia
Male vs Female
The only significant difference between a male and female Labrakita is their sex. However, there may be a few small differences that one might notice between male and female canines of this crossbreed. For example, some females are more independent than their male counterparts, while some males tend to be harder to potty train than females. However, the differences from dog to dog have much more to do with their unique personality and temperament than their sex.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Labrakita
1. Their Eyes Can Come in Three Different Colors
The Labrakita can be born with one of three different eye colors: brown, amber, or hazel. Their eyes tend to contrast well with their black or brown noses, so they are generally quite noticeable at first glance.
2. They Can Weigh Over 100 Pounds!
The Labrakita is a large crossbreed, and some males can grow to be about 130 pounds when fully grown, and the females can reach the 100-pound mark. The lower end of the scale is about 70 pounds, which means no matter their adult size, they won’t be small.
3. They Can Come in Various Coat Colors
Labrakitas do not come in just a handful of coat colors. They can vary, which makes each dog even more special. These dogs may be colors like black, gray, brown, cream, white, fawn, red, pied, and brindle.
Conclusion
The Labrakita is a beautiful crossbreed with high intelligence and intense loyalty to their human companions. They may not be the best option for those who want to spend time in various social settings, but they make great watchdogs and adventure companions. They can get along well in a variety of household types but do best with singles and families that have older children.
See also:
- American Bullhuahua (American Bulldog & Chihuahua Mix): Info, Pictures
- Siberian Shiba (Siberian Husky & Shiba Inu Mix): Info, Pics
Featured Image Credit: Left – Henry Ravenscroft, Unsplash | Right – Charlotte Rush, Unsplash
